The Sánchez Romate Hnos. winery announces the 13th Cardenal Mendoza International Microfiction Contest, open to writers of any nationality with texts written in Spanish that do not exceed 150 words.
The aim of the competition is to encourage literary creation around a spirit as exquisite and appreciated worldwide as Sherry brandy.
As on other occasions, the theme will be open, provided that the micro-story refers in some way to Jerez brandy. Entries may not exceed 150 words—including the title— and must be submitted under a pseudonym.
The prizes are as follows:
- The First Prize consists of €2,000, a bottle of Cardenal Mendoza Non Plus Ultra sherry brandy, and a case of Romate reserve sherry wines.
- The second winner will receive a prize of €700, a bottle of Cardenal Mendoza Carta Real sherry brandy, and a case of Romate reserve sherry wines.
- The Third Prize will consist of €600, a bottle of Cardenal Mendoza Clásico brandy, and a case of Romate reserve sherry wines.
- The Non Plus Ultra Award will be given to the micro-story that best promotes the image of Jerez brandy. The author will receive a bottle of the very aged and exclusive Jerez brandy Cardenal Mendoza Non Plus Ultra as a trophy, as well as a box of NPU special reserve amontillado.
- In addition, the jury may award, if it deems it appropriate, the Cardinal Mendoza Special Mention, consisting of a bottle of Cardenal Mendoza Non Plus Ultra sherry brandy, to the most outstanding finalist micro-story.
All distinctions will be accredited with their corresponding diplomas.
Those interested should send their entries exclusively in digital format to the email address microrrelatos@romate.com. The contest rules can be found here.
The deadline for submissions is September 30, 2024, and the decision will be announced during Cardenal Mendoza Golden Week, between October 25 and 31, on the website cardenalmendoza.com.
The previous edition received 2,105 entries from thirty-six countries. First prize went to Extremadura author Víctor Niso for "Ficciones" (Fictions), a humorous tribute to the great Spanish-American writer of short stories Augusto Monterroso. Second prize went to Hermegildo Altozano García-Figueras, a resident of Madrid, for "El día más feliz de tu vida" (The Happiest Day of Your Life), a mini-story full of tenderness and irony. The eloquent simplicity of "Una nube buena" (A Good Cloud), written by Elena Olivella from Barcelona, convinced the jury to award the author third prize. The Cardenal Mendoza Non Plus Ultra Special Mention went to "Los trabajos" (The Works) by Javier Izcue Argandoña (Pamplona, 1965). A micro-story that recreates innocence on the eve of tragedy and links the witty Jerez native with Don Quixote.The Cardinal Mendoza SpecialMention for the most outstanding finalist went to "Milagro" (Miracle) by Nicolás Medina Cabrera (Santiago de Chile, 1988), a resident of Alicante. The winning micro-stories can be read on the website www.cardenalmendoza.com .